Sticky Posts: Old Ones Resurrected

Top down or bottom up?

By Jonathan MS Pearce • • 42 comments

‘Rationality is useless if it is not sound. This is what Martin Luther meant when he called reason a “whore”. Pick the wrong premises, and rationality is utterly screwed. Therefore, merely that someone is “rational” means absolutely nothing about whether that person is well-connected to reality.’

Moral Panics: Thoughts on Immigration

By Jonathan MS Pearce • • 23 comments

There are many posts presently here at SIN written, or in the pipeline, on our series concerning moral panic, and nothing promotes moral panic quite as much as immigration. Immigration is a hot topic, particularly in the UK, where I live, but also within the wider context of Europe (and pretty much anywhere). There are literally boat loads of people from Africa and the eastern end of the Mediterranean who are hitting the shores of Italy and Spain in waves of thousand upon thousand. Often, the end destination is seen as the UK with its perceived soft touch welfare system.

Racism and xenophobia in economic downturns

By Jonathan MS Pearce • • 11 comments

My previous post talked about the rise of the right-wing UKIP in recent polls and elections in the UK. Part of this phenomena, which is predicated upon the blaming of immigrants and immigration for many social woes, is as a result of the recent economic downturn.

Why Skeptical Theism Fails

By Jonathan MS Pearce • • 37 comments

The Problem of Evil is a powerful argument which takes its form in various ways, both the logical and evidential format. I was watching a video debate on the problem of evil and animal suffering between Michael Murry and Daniel Breyer. I really enjoyed it. I don’t buy the skeptical theistic approach, but, as Breyer said, if I was a theist, that would have to be the approach I would take to the claim of gratuitous evil.

Christianity Is not Great is imminent

By Jonathan MS Pearce • • 9 comments

I am pretty excited about the upcoming Christianity Is not Great, John Loftus’ latest anthology which comprises a plethora of fantastic authors and chapters, it seems (I have not read the chapters, though cannot wait). This is really shaping up to be a corker. Get it pre-ordered!

The Young Atheist’s Handbook sent to every school library in Northern Ireland

By Jonathan MS Pearce • • 3 comments

Today the British Humanist Association (BHA) is sending every state-funded secondary school library in Northern Ireland a copy of The Young Atheist’s Handbook: Lessons for Living a Good Life without God. The initiative, funded entirely by public donations, is part of the BHA’s work to ensure that young people have access to resources that enable them to come to their own decisions about their values and beliefs.

Scottish Independence – my thoughts

By Jonathan MS Pearce • • 3 comments

Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel and flag-waving the first action of a warmonger.

yes-no2

I am British, English, and live on the south coast of the UK. That said, the coming Thursday referendum affects me as much as most people in the country. I will set out what is, for me and my compatriots, the most important democratic decision in the last hundred years, if not ever. At present, the polls are all suggesting it too close to call. They are neck and neck.